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Aviation Charts

MetService provides a comprehensive suite of graphical charts for aviation planning and safety.

Significant Weather (SigWx)​

A Significant Weather (SigWx) chart indicates forecast positions of jet streams, tropopause heights, thunderstorms / Cumulonimbus (CBs), turbulence, and fronts.

  • Issuance: 4 times a day (valid at 00, 06, 12, and 18 UTC).
  • Altitude Levels:
    • Mid Level: 10,000 to 25,000 ft.
    • High Level: Above 25,000 ft (usually up to 63,000 ft).
  • Versions:
    1. Mid Level SIGWX
    2. Mid Level SIGWX - CB & Icing
    3. Mid Level SIGWX - Turbulence

Graphical NZ Significant Weather (GNZSIGWX)​

GNZSIGWX charts cover New Zealand and the surrounding ocean, visualizing fronts, convection (TS/CB), and turbulence.

  • Issuance: 4 times a day (valid at 00, 06, 12, and 18 UTC).
  • Altitude Levels:
    • Low Level: Surface to 10,000 ft. (Versions: Standard, Wind & Temp)
    • Mid Level: 10,000 to 25,000 ft.
    • High Level: Above 25,000 ft.

GeoJSON Support: This service is also available in GeoJSON format for integration into map-based applications and EFBs.

Graphical Aviation Forecast (GRAFOR)​

The GRAFOR is a forecast issued for the NZZC FIR, covering various flight conditions from Surface to FL100, grouped by affected regions.

  • Issuance: 2 times a day (valid at 00, 06, 12, and 18 UTC).
  • Formats: Available as Charts and GeoJSON (GIS compatible).

MSL Charts​

  • MSL Analysis: Drawn by forecasters 4 times a day, representing the analysis of the current situation.
  • MSL Prognosis: Drawn twice a day, forecasting out 18, 30, or 42 hours.
  • Relative Humidity: A specialized MSL Prognosis chart that also highlights areas of relative humidity above 80% at surface level.

Icing Charts​

Forecasts icing risk based on cloud thickness and temperature.

  • Source: NZWRF (ECMWF) NZ 8km data.
  • Range: Forecast out 30 hours from 00:00 and 12:00 model runs.

Wind & Temperature Charts​

Wind direction and speed are indicated by wind arrows (feathers/pennants), with spot temperatures enclosed in circles.

  • Issuance: 4 times a day (valid at 00, 06, 12, and 18 UTC).

Other Charts​

  • Freezing Level: Graphically shows the freezing level for the NZ area.
  • Rain and Cloud: Forecasts rain areas/amounts and cloud height/extent (oktas) for up to 84 hours, based on the daily selected global model (ECMWF, NCEP, or UKMO).